Where to experience ‘snow’ in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Did you know that there is a place that “snows” in the Philippines?

According to Mountaineer Coach Emmanuel Batungbacal, that place is Luzon’s highest peak, Mount Pulag, in Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya.

“Alam n’yo bang nag-a-ice dito sa Philippines? It’s in Mount Pulag. Pero every February lang s’ya,” the coach shared at the recent Summer Happy Camp in Viewscape Nature Park in Tanay, Rizal, organized by bag label Doughnut.

“Akala natin the coldest month would be December, pero hindi. ‘Pagka nasa bundok, especially Benguet, the coldest season is February. (Gaano) s’ya kalamig? Just imagine you’re staying inside this tent, the following morning, when you go out, everything is white. It’s that cold,” he explained. “The coldest we had in Mount Pulag was negative 4, so malamig s’ya.”

Mount Pulag, said the coach, is proof of how beautiful and “extreme” the Philippines is. 

At the Summer Happy Camp, Doughnut Philippines Brand Manager Luigi Wilwayco introduced the Hong Kong brand’s summer 2024 collection made from recycled materials such as Barley Skin—an innovative material developed by VegaTex and Budweiser Asia Pacific from beer waste; recycled polyester; apple-peel skin vegan recycled leather; repurposed logo lining; upcycled excess fabric from the factory; and recycled discarded fishnets.

Complementing these adventure bags are camping gear from Chris Sports, insulated tumblers from Stanley, playing cards from Bicycle Cards, and Victorinox Swiss Army Knives. — Video by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo